Varietal

Heirloom Varietals

What "heirloom" really means in Ethiopian coffee: not a single variety, but thousands of genetically distinct coffee types native to Ethiopia's forests--the birthplace of Coffea arabica.

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Definition

What "heirloom" actually means

In most coffee origins, you can name the variety: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, SL28. In Ethiopia, that's rarely possible. The genetic diversity is so vast--thousands of distinct varieties growing wild and semi-wild--that most Ethiopian coffee is simply labeled "heirloom."

This isn't vagueness. It's accuracy. Ethiopian farmers often grow multiple varieties on the same plot. The Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC) has catalogued over 6,000 distinct accessions. "Heirloom" acknowledges that Ethiopian coffee genetics are too diverse to reduce to a single name.

Key facts

Type Collective term

Catalogued varieties 6,000+ (JARC)

Origin Ethiopian forests

Also called JARC selections, landraces

Cup profile Varies by variety and region

Why Roasters Care

What this means for buying decisions

Unique cup profiles

Ethiopian heirlooms produce flavors no other origin can match--jasmine, bergamot, blueberry, stone fruit. This genetic diversity is why Ethiopia remains the benchmark for specialty.

Lot-to-lot variation

Because "heirloom" covers many varieties, expect variation between lots. This is a feature, not a bug. Sample before committing to volume.

Processing matters more

With variety unknown, processing becomes the key variable. A washed Yirgacheffe and natural Yirgacheffe taste more different than washed coffees from different regions.

Exceptions